If you work on a PC with Linux OS, sooner or later, you’ll have to deal with Linux/Unix targets. This article provides sample tools set that may be helpful in tester’s or even developer’s daily activities.

The material will be useful for those who are a novice at programs on this operating system.

So, all the available Linux programs can be divided into the following groups:

• Kernel. It includes the core, core module, and all sorts of modules of system interfaces. Since the core itself is based on C and ASM, you will have to use C when testing software. Usually, it’s small test core modules that can check some parameters. Or it can be a module with different parameters and test scenarios. It is recommended to use more than one module for all features (to create a separate module for each of them). Additionally, you need to test all potentially possible parameter return codes.
• Client software programs (userspace level). This group includes all applications based on this operating system. Although, it’s not cut and dried. It all depends on the application under test. For example, if the software is on Java, you cannot do without Java, at least to ensure that the program opens.
• Kernel + client software program. A client has to deal with these applications every time. Such a scheme consists of a kernel driver that provides low-level communication and a client program.

Tools

Linux is a perfect option for testing and programming inside quality assurance organizations. Any modern Linux distribution contains tools available for download and which have a long-term license. If you want, you can systematize such popular tools.

– GCC – Gnu C compiler
This is a basic C and C++ Linux compiler. If you need to test the compiler itself, you can use this site – https://gcc.gnu.org/ with tests. Compiling with the -g parameter allows debugging with the help of the gdb command.

-bash
This shell is present in each of the distributions available for download. It is very useful and understandable in terms of writing test scripts.

-expect
Just like -bash, it is presented in every modern distribution. In most cases, specialists use it to automate a particular process (both in the development and testing fields). By the way, its syntaxis (TCL) is not very user-friendly.

-ircp, irdump, openobex
These utilities are designed for testing the system’s IR port.

-telnet, ssh
This is a remote shell. It’s extremely useful when you need to write the same commands several times a session. You can use it in any modern and relevant distribution.

Most testers have to work with Linux OS sooner or later. In the article, we considered only some commands which may be helpful for QA engineers. Don’t forget that these and many other commands greatly facilitate the process of software testing. Therefore, this is another step towards the release of a quality product.